This story brings to mind the Jamaican bobsled team that competed in the 1988 Olympics. Lots of heart, but no victories. The story was told in the movie "Cool Running". Maybe someone should make a sequel. (Won't happen. Shows Israel in a positive light.)
And of course the State of Israel contributed nothing to this endeavor. There are lots of endeavors that Israel could be supporting but doesn't, where there's lots of potential - chess, for example. What's the Ministry of Culture and Sport spending their money on?